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Reading report

May 12, 2005 at 7:09pm

It went well. I tink I read well and managed to keep the audience interested. However, my story didn't get to be their favourite. One theory is that it was too nice, another is that it's fantasy, which is not a accepted genre among literary critics.

I'm beginning to care less about not making first place - the good part is that I got through my first reading alive and well. Every reading from now on will be less terrifying, which is very good, considering that readings are part of the job as writer.

My first reading

May 11, 2005 at 7:45am

Yep. It happens tonight, at the literature house in my town. They have a special event for unpublished authors. Four authors share the evening, each has 15 minutes for a text, and 5 minutes for a discussion. There will be a vote for the audience's favourite at the end, and of course I hope that I'll make it.

I'd appreciate any crossing of fingers, squeezing of thumbs or any other good-luck gesture.

Finished!

February 27, 2005 at 8:48pm

Yes! I finished my novel today!

It was an effort, I ripped off roughly 5,800 words in the last two days, but boy! was it worth it. I wanted to do it this weekend, and I did!

For many years I have been a person who started things and never finished them. Now it's the second time I that I actually finished a real, tangible, fullbodied novel. This time it has about 130,000 words, which would relate to about 500 pages in print, depending on how it's set.

The only thing still missing is a publisher, but I hope my agent is hard at word finding one. I know these things take time, so I'm trying to be patient. They have only been trying to market my series for about half a year. They also started at the top and are working their way down. Again, that takes time. However, if you feel like it, wish me luck. I can use it. :-)

Long pause

Things are looking good. I found an agency for my first novel and signed a contract with them last August. They are asking for the sequel already, even though they don't have a publisher yet.

That sequel is making good progress. I'm trying to keep myself to 1,000 words a day, and I might actually get into the habit of it. That will certainly push my word count up considerably. I *need* a higher word count.

A short story is with an Australian publisher, together with a bunch we rustled up at Scribe's. That project is already starting over again for 2005. I have a setting and an MC, but not a story yet. I'm strongly suggesting to my subconscious to come up with something, but there's time until the end of Feburary, or even March. No hurry. I hope to have finished my second novel when the anthology rush starts.

Oh, and there's great news: Me and my darling husband will go and visit Australia this summer. It's always been a dream, but now that I know people there, it's coming true. We got the tickets yesterday. YAY!